I am retired and we have decided to sell our home and look for a year round home on an inland lake in western Michigan, preferably within 1 hour of Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo. There are so many lakes it is difficult to even focus on a select few. We'd like a lake of at least 100 acres, all sports permitted, but especially good clean water quality. Public sewer would be great. Also, are there any lakes we should avoid; airport or other noise, pollution, extreme traffic etc.
I like your opinions of lakes to check out. This will be our only home year round.
Your opinions are appreciated.
Thanks,
John

The following thread has lots of information detailing some problems on buying real estate ...

Not any specific lake related information.

Walked out of home purchase at closing rant

Gun lake is pretty nice. I think it might be hard to find 100 acres with lake front, but if you do can I be your new friend?

There is always Lake Michigan.

I grew up in Michigan, I don't think it ever occurred to me that a body of water of 100 acres would be referred to as a "lake".

I haven't looked at MI lake or river front property in many years but the closer to major cities it is the more expensive it will be.

I would look at the general area of interest and contact a Relator who handles resort properties.

Unless you are a man of considerable wealth I would forget property on the Big Lake (Michigan).

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

I won't say what you are asking for is impossible, but unless you have some serious funding, it will be extremely unlikely to meet all those goals. Lake frontage is measured in feet, not acres, so finding something with that kind of acreage and lake frontage would either be one very odd shaped parcel, or one very odd shaped lake. Besides, you need to be talking to real estate people, who have access to listings, not us.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I see... you want the lake to be at least the size of 100 acres. My reading comprehension is better in the morning hours!

OP is looking for a lake that is a least 100 acres not 100 acres of land on a lake.

I didn't think my original post was worded badly. What I am looking for is lake property on a lake that is at least 100 acres in size not to purchase a 100 acres!
As for real estate agents, my experience lately is they just find out what you are looking for and put the information in their search criteria and send you every listing that meets that criteria. There is no judgment as to what lakes are good or which are to be avoided. Maybe there are good Real-estate people out there, but I haven't found one. That's why I thought posting here would give me some ideas from personal experience.
Now anyone have any recommendations?
Were going to check out Gunn Lake this weekend.
Thanks,
John

Duh!!! Next time I'll wait for the caffeine from my second bottle of Diet Coke to kick in. OP - ignore me. Well, other than the part about getting a realtor. That's what your quest should be, for a realtor who is actually willing to do their job. Finding a good realtor is like finding a good auto mechanic or doctor.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

With so many beautiful lakes in the area mentioned, I'd try and find a house that you like and then if the lake fits your needs/desires, buy it. Rather than find a lake first then seeing if you can find the right home. Just my two cents.

And BTW, Gun is a nice lake but CROWDED. On the weekends it's nothing but a cluster - but to each his/her own. While you're over this way, check out the Pine Lake chain (Pine Lake, Michigan, USA Vacation Info - Lakelubbers). Multiple lakes all connected, good clean water, good fishing, lots of points/coves. Very nice.

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Pass it on.
Mark

e.g. If you ask for a cat.
They will also advise you of catamarans and catapults.

Your request HERE is good for discovering an area that MIGHT be suitable for you . After picking a potential area you can do some online research.

I have found these two sites useful - some others were not.
Zillow: Real Estate, Apartments, Mortgages & Home Values
Find Real Estate, Homes for Sale, Apartments & Houses for Rent - realtor.com

Bekeart

Thanks for the advice guys. Kalamazookid, thanks for the link to Lakelubbers. It's a great source for lakes that are in their system, but unfortunately it is a bit shy of lakes in that region. I have been on Zillow for months and have found plenty of great houses on lakes. The problem is many of the lakes are actually ponds, or the lake is only 6 feet deep or is muddy or next to an airport. I thought we would take another tack and look for the lakes we want to live on then find a house for sale on that lake. There are HUNDREDS of lakes in this region so we were trying to reduce the computer time. We decided to go visit Gun Lake, Gull Lake, Payne Lake and Wall Lake in Barry County. Any other suggestions? Are there known problems with any of these lakes?
Thanks,
John

Stonecove, the inside back page of the print version of Michigan Outdoor News features a Lake Report where they go into a lot of detail as to the size, depth, topography, what kind of traffic to expect, current fish species survey, DNR stocking history, etc. of various inland lakes throughout the state. Once you find a lake that appears promising, it may be of benefit to find it in a back issue to get a close look at what to expect.

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SWHF #448

Assuming that Michigan is like Wisconsin, one of the joys of living on a lake is mosquito and fly season, from about April through July.

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Common sense isn't so common.

I do wish you luck, many people spend years looking before they find a place that suits them.
If I were looking I would forget areas close to Grand Rapids and Muskegon and head further North.
Even the smaller lakes are under a great deal of pressure if they can provide a weekend escape from big city life.
My parents had a small cottage on an inland lake in Mason County and that lake was largely built up in 1940.
I suppose that I would look around Ludington, Hamlin Lake for a start.

You will probably have to deal with a Relator, some specialize in Lake Frontage homes, my younger sister did for many years. Some are quite good at it.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus